Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Types of Soil

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is crucial to focus the students and the teacher on the learning goals of the lesson. By establishing clear and specific objectives, students can improve the effectiveness of their prior preparation and participation in the proposed classroom activities. This section also serves as a guide to evaluate students' performance and understanding at the end of the lesson.

Main Objectives:

1. Enable students to recognize and describe the main types of soil (sand, clay, and silt) and their distinctive characteristics.

2. Develop understanding of the importance of soil for healthy plant growth, highlighting the role of nutrients and porosity.

3. Identify and discuss the components of soil, such as minerals, organic matter, water, and air, and how these elements interact to create an environment conducive to plant development.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage curiosity and interest in the students regarding the study of soil and its practical importance in agricultural and environmental activities.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of the Introduction stage is to engage students with the content they studied at home, using problem situations that make them think critically and apply their prior knowledge in a practical way. Moreover, the contextualization seeks to connect the theme with the students' daily lives, highlighting the relevance of studying soil types for understanding natural processes and for practical applications, such as agriculture and caring for the environment.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine that you have a garden and want to plant flowers, but the plants are growing very slowly. What do you think might be wrong with the soil? Discuss this with a classmate and try to list at least three possible problems.

2. You are building a garden at school and noticed that some areas of the land become completely waterlogged after rain, while others dry very quickly. How might these soil characteristics affect the growth of the plants you intend to cultivate? Discuss and make a list of possible impacts.

Contextualization

Soil is not just the ground we walk on; it is a living and complex ecosystem that plays vital roles in supporting life on Earth. For example, without healthy soil, plants cannot grow properly, which affects the entire food chain. Additionally, soil is fundamental for agriculture, providing essential nutrients for crops. Interestingly, different types of soil can be found even in small areas, and their characteristics can vary significantly, influencing the choice of plants that can be cultivated and how they should be cared for.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to apply and deepen their knowledge about soil types in a practical and interactive context. Through the proposed activities, students will physically explore the types of soil, analyze their properties, and understand their implications for agriculture and the environment. This hands-on approach aims to strengthen students' understanding of a topic that can often seem too theoretical, encouraging critical thinking and collaboration among peers.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Soil Explorers

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Identify and visually describe the types of soil (sand, clay, silt) and measure the depth at which they are present.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups, and each group will represent a 'soil explorer' who must gather accurate information about the different types of soil present in a terrain model. The model will consist of boxes of different sizes, each filled with one type of soil (sand, clay, and silt). Each group will have a toolkit that will include magnifying glasses, tweezers, and small spoons to assist in observation. They will have to describe visual characteristics such as color and texture and use a tape measure to measure the depth at which they find each type of soil.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the toolkits to each group.

• Explain that they must collect data on the different types of soil in the model, filling out an observation sheet.

• Each group should discuss and record the characteristics and depth of each type of soil.

• At the end, each group will present their findings to the class, comparing and discussing the differences found.

Activity 2 - Fertility Builders

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand the importance of choosing the correct fertilizer for the type of soil and its properties.

- Description: Students, organized in groups, will take on the role of agronomists tasked with recommending the best type of fertilizer for different types of soil. They will have samples of soil and organic and chemical fertilizers available. The challenge will be to identify which fertilizer is most suitable for each type of soil, based on its composition, porosity, and nutritional needs.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students and distribute soil and fertilizer samples.

• Each group must analyze the type of soil and determine which fertilizers are most suitable, based on their characteristics and nutritional needs.

• Students should prepare a brief presentation to justify their choices, explaining how each fertilizer meets the needs of the soil.

• Hold a 'fertilizer fair' where each group presents its findings and exchanges ideas with other groups.

Activity 3 - The Mystery of the Missing Soil

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply the scientific method to investigate and solve soil-related problems in a practical environment.

- Description: In this playful scenario, students, in groups, will investigate why certain plants in a school garden are not growing properly. They will receive clues indicating soil problems such as compaction, lack of nutrients, or excess water. Using the scientific method, students must formulate hypotheses, collect data (observations, pH tests, etc.), and present their conclusions.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Present the clues about the soil problems in the garden and discuss possible causes with the students.

• Each group must formulate a hypothesis and develop an investigation plan.

• Students will conduct tests on the soil, such as pH testing and texture observations, to confirm or refute their hypotheses.

• Each group will prepare a final report including their findings, methodology, and conclusions.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate students' learning, allowing them to articulate the knowledge acquired through the practical activities and discuss their discoveries with peers. The group discussion helps reinforce the understanding of soil types concepts and their impacts, as well as promote communication and collaboration skills. This moment also serves for the teacher to assess students' understanding and clarify any remaining doubts.

Group Discussion

To start the group discussion, the teacher should gather all students in a circle and begin by recalling the objectives of the lesson. Then, the teacher can ask each group to briefly share their main discoveries and challenges faced during the activities. It is important that students have the opportunity to explain the reasoning behind their choices and how the activities helped them understand the different types of soil and their characteristics better. The teacher can facilitate the discussion by asking questions that stimulate deeper reflection and connect the learned content with real situations or other areas of knowledge.

Key Questions

1. What were the most striking characteristics that differentiated the types of soil you explored in the activity?

2. How do the properties of the soil you studied influence plant growth and the choice of crops in a plantation?

3. In what ways can knowledge about soil types be applied in everyday situations or in environmental improvement projects?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The conclusion stage is fundamental to ensure that students have consolidated the knowledge acquired during the lesson. Summarizing the main points helps with information retention, while the discussion on the applicability of the topic reinforces the relevance of studying soil types in both practical and theoretical contexts. Furthermore, this section serves to end the lesson clearly and organized, providing students with a closure that connects the learned content with their lives and the world around them.

Summary

To conclude the lesson, the teacher should summarize and recapitulate the main points covered about the types of soil, highlighting the differences between sand, clay, and silt, as well as the elements that compose soil, such as minerals, organic matter, water, and air. It is essential to reinforce how these characteristics influence plant growth.

Theory Connection

Throughout the lesson, the connection between theory and practice was established through activities simulating real situations, such as collecting data in a soil model and choosing fertilizers for different types of soil. These practices not only solidified theoretical knowledge but also demonstrated the importance of studying soil for everyday and agricultural applications.

Closing

Finally, the teacher should emphasize the importance of studying soil types for daily life, such as in choosing plants for gardens and agriculture and raising environmental awareness. Understanding soil properties aids in making more sustainable and effective decisions, both in small gardens and large agricultural projects.